Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants
- Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
- Artist: Rowland Lockey
- Date: 1593
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 89 1/2 in. x 130 in. (2274 mm x 3302 mm) overall
- Portrays: Elizabeth Dauncey (née More), Cecily Heron (née More), Anne More (née Cresacre), Cresacre More, Sir John More, John More, John More, Maria More (née Scrope), Sir Thomas More, Thomas More II, Margaret Roper
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
Before you is a large oil on canvas painted by Rowland Lockey in 1593, based on an earlier design by Hans Holbein the Younger. The scene brings five generations of Sir Thomas More’s family together: at the far left his father Sir John and his mother Anne Cresacre; third from the left, Sir Thomas himself, wearing a gold chain and a dark‑red cloak; to his right, four Elizabethan figures in ruffs holding prayer books. Lockey added the grandson, Thomas More II, his wife Maria Scrope, and their sons, making a visual genealogy. The composition keeps Holbein’s poses but repositions the figures and inserts the later generations. It shows dynastic pride and the family’s Roman‑Catholic devotion in Tudor England.
See it in person
Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
